Smash City: Charge It!

[SHM 128 III]

Shelly noticed Roll's sudden shyness towards Link and let out a quiet giggle. Link always had quite a large number of fangirls and a few fanboys in This World... And it looked like he just got another one.

However, she opted not to say anything to Roll about it at the moment... It wasn't exactly a good time to do so, for obvious reasons.

[Stoney]

All of a sudden, the ground underneath Link began shaking in a distinctly similar fashion to Death Mountain, as sudden screams of pain and fear emerged from outside the mall.

This was promptly followed by a GIANT LASER BEAM OF DEATH that blasted clean through two of the nearby walls, leaving perfectly circular entry and exit holes behind. Everything not already disrupted by Kirby and Link's entry was tossed into the air or shattered, as a shockwave of burning air swept over everyone present.

Luckily, Link was kept shielded by the remains of the fountain around him, but the sudden disaster scared him crapless. Out of pure reflex, his body disregarded its own injuries and acted; he tried to sit up, and when he collided with the girl leaning over him, his arms snapped around her body as he pulled her down into the safety behind the debris.

Link waited a couple seconds for the laser beam to die down, leaving countless injured shoppers and ludicrous amounts of property damage behind...cripes, what made that attack, a giant Beamos?...before he finally noticed the position he was in.

He froze, eyes wide as dinnerplates. Something that was paradoxically both hard and soft was pressing against his lips, and he went cross-eyed as he tried to see what it was.

...

He belatedly realized he was hugging the girl, and let go to roll sideways onto his back. Din sear it, he thought with dismay, Midna will never let me live this down...

And now the soreness of his injuries had returned full force; His muscles were NOT pleased with the stunt he'd just pulled. Link closed his eyes and groaned, wondering how this day could possibly get worse.

---

Kirby never knew what hit him.

Sure, the magical elastic material that his body was made of didn't seem effected by the blast of heat. That was fine and dandy.

What was NOT fine was the sheer force of the shockwave that shoved him off his feet and through the air like a tumbleweed.

"UwaaaAAAAAAAHHHH...!" Kirby rolled with speed and gusto that would've made Jigglypuff jealous as he crashed into a clothing store and knocked over the clearance rack set up next to the entrance. He was promptly covered by cheap t-shirts and jeans.

[Vize Viper]

One moment, Roll was looking at the bottle, getting ready to open it, and taking another glance up at Link... The third of such looks, actually.

And the next thing she new, she was in the middle of a storm of swirling, heated air, something was pressing against her lips, and she was wrapped in something, lying on her back, eyes tightly closed in a programmed reflex to protect her fragile optics... Which she opened to meet a pair of familiar, but rather startled looking, blue eyes, and blonde hair that was NOT hers partially obscuring them.

Blonde hair... and blue eyes? Then, of course, she was registering that odd pressure against her lips again. Of course, then her CPU had finished figuring out how far away those other eyes were, and HER eyes widened as the Hylian let go of her, and seemed to flop down next to her.

Did he... was he KISSING me!? Had to be an accident, had to had to had to. Yeah, an accident. He got thrown into me by that wind. ... and just happened to wrap his arms around me and PLANT ONE right on my lips!

Of course, as all this was going through her mind, her hands completed their last order, opening the bottle, and releasing its occupant, who promptly healed Link to full health, denying him the sweet release of death he at the moment surely craved... then she simply dropped the container, bringing one hand up to touch her lips lightly.

"... ... ..." Which was then followed by her turning a shade of red to match her dress.

Wow, Dr. Light. You go all out making them able to act human, doncha?

_____________________________________________

Zero, meanwhile, reacted with the speed that could only be granted by years of experience, drawing his Z-Saber, and in complete defiance of it's nature as a weapon designed to cut through... EVERYTHING, stabbed it into the floor, using it to keep himself from sliding back more than a few feet.

Once the storm was over, the red Reploid stood, and stared incredulously at the two rather tidy holes caused b the massive beam that had moments ago passed through... And his next words would probably be the most fitting ANY Newcomer would have upon witnessing the Zero Laser's fury.

"...WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!?"

[Sortie]

His foot merely bounced off the ceramic floor tiles as a tremor shook the floor beneath them, and X staggered a bit before regaining his balance. Then there was the light, a massive column of sheer destructive force that tore through the building and seared his optics for the moment before he could look away, eyes squeezed shut, gauntlet held up to shield them from further damage--and only partially prepared for the accompanying shock wave. The scorching air slammed into him head on, instantly sending his internal cooling systems into overdrive and knocking him flat on his back with a clang of armor on tile that resonated in his skull for several moments afterward.

Zero's exclamation echoed down the hall, along with the pained cries of dozens of injured people. "Oh, hell," X quietly agreed.

[TurkwithStyle]

Croco giggled insanely at the sheer thought of actually successfully stealing something. He bounced happily to the door, opened it and paused in the door way to take in the fresh air. A single tear ran down his cheek as he stated, "Ma'd be so proud of me right no--" He didn't notice the giant beam of destruction heading his way and...it promptly hit him. "huh wh---GAH!" the crocodillian suddenly flew off into the sky and away from the mall...leaving behind the necklace he stole.

[SHM 128 III]

If Shelly had seen Link and Roll's accidental kiss, she would've burst out laughing, regardless of how 'serious' the situation really was.

Emphasis on 'if', as she was a little too busy trying to perserve her own life to really notice.

Upon feeling the rumbling and hearing the panic outside, Shelly turned just in time to see the Zero Laser blast through the wall towards the group. Relying purely on instinct (and showing incredible speed considering... well, you know...), the koopa girl quickly pulled herself into her shell as the shot went by. While she was protected from harm, the blast of scalding hot air was enough to cause her shell - with her still inside it - to go flying around the area, ricocheting off the walls, pillars, benches, and... whatever debris was now lying around after all of this. Eventually, she came to a slow stop right near Zero.

"... ... ... Is it over?" a startled Shelly asked from inside her shell. There also seemed to be a hint of dizziness in her voice, which was probably to be expected, all things considered.

[Stoney]

As soon as he felt the healing energy of the fairy infuse every part of his body, Link groaned harder...accompanied by lifting his head slightly, only to bring it back down and bang it against the ground below him.

Maybe if he just kept laying there they'd assume he was dead...no, that'd never work.

Time for damage control, then...

Link sat up and half-turned to see the girl next to him. Her face was the same shade of red as a Faron Berry...and though Link didn't realize it, he was blushing just as hard.

“That wasn't...I'm not...you were...and I was...and it...I didn't mean...” he waved his hands around, trying and failing to communicate his explanation. The words were getting twisted and tangled up somewhere en route from his brain to his mouth.

He paused, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. Rolling over to a kneeling position in front of the girl, he opened his eyes and tried again.

“Are...are you all right?” Before he could get an answer he hurriedly continued: “I'm really, really sorry about that. It was an accident. I was trying to pull you to safety, and, and...” He placed a hand on his forehead and slowly moved it down his face.

Farore, this could not possibly get any more awkward.

“Listen, I'll, uh, I'll make a deal with you: I won't tell anyone about this if you don't either. Okay?" He stood up and offered the girl a hand, both to shake on the deal and to help her stand up.

I've got enough trouble as it is between Midna and Zelda, he thought with a small sigh. I REALLY don't need to add accusations of pedophilia to the mix...

[Vize Viper]

Roll... really wasn't there right now, her electronic brain still trying to sort out what happened. After all, even if she had been online for 18 years, her original programming was still designed to emulate a 12-year old girl... And she'd apparently gotten her first kiss... In the middle of some kind of disaster.

Figures. My family can't have ANYTHING normal happen to them, can we?

And then, she heard someone talking to her. Deciding this might be important (more important than getting your first kiss from a cute elf boy?), she tuned in as the Hylian reached "I'm really, really sorry", turning to him as he spokee from there, before pushing herself up to a sitting position, pulling her legs up under her. Once he offered his hand to pull her up, she blushed a little more, not that it would be noticeable, and stood, brushing herself off before looking up at Link.

Part of her was simultaneously relieved and disappointed... Relieved because, well, this guy wasn't some creepy pedophile (which she HAD dealt with before), but disappointed because, well... unless she convinced her dad to finally upgrade her, she had no shot with a guy like him.

But she didn't voice any of this, instead settling for just nodding as she shook the hand she still had a light hold on.

"Agreed... My name's Roll, by the way."

Zero, meanwhile, just glanced down at the... it HAD to be an animaloid reploid at his feet, before he knelt down.

"Yeah, it's over, you can come out now." The reploid's expression was... pensive as he looked at the destruction around him, reminded FAR too much of similar scenarios he'd been in before now... and his training kicked in in that moment, as he activated the comm hidden in his helmet.

"X, I know this seems a bit obvious, but we've got some survivors to find."

[Sortie]

Slowly, X propped himself up with one arm and let out a breath, venting some of the excess heat he'd absorbed from the blast. His eyes were still functioning, amazingly, though his vision was a little blurry--not a huge problem, and autorepair was already working on it. The bomber, meanwhile, was nowhere in sight. Considering what had just happened, he was either escaped or dead, depending on whether he'd been directly in the lazer's path. Either way, the nameless croc had just been reduced to Priority None. Besides--without Alia and her skills and equipment for tracking it would be almost impossible to find him; the bomb-chucking menace could have teleported halfway across the world, for all they would ever know.

"X, I know this seems a bit obvious, but we've got some survivors to find."


Standing up, X pressed a finger to the side of his helmet. "Copy," was the simple reply, along with an inaudible frown. Whatever had fired that lazer was dangerous. A familiar dread was beginning to settle in his chest...but there were more immediate issues to deal with.


A short jog--and a few jumps, this time up the stairs--later, X again passed the (now ruined) fountain, the soil from the planter still clinging to his bootsoles turning to mud in the wide pool of water now surrounding it. With Zero was the smallish turtle reploid he'd seen before, along with the girl Zero mentioned was looking for her brother, and an exceedingly strangely dressed young man with...elongated, pointed ears. Probably a reploid, then--such eccentricities were not entirely unheard of...

Addressing the three strangers, "I'm Commander X. Commander Zero," a nod in his direction, "and I will be working to get this situation under control. All capable persons are welcome to help in administering aid and rescue." He then crouched and popped open a compartment in either boot, extracting from each a small field medkit. He then stood, offering one to whoever would take it.

[SHM 128 III]

"O... Kay... I'm comming..."

There was some rustling inside the shell before Shelly finally poked her head out, quickly followed by the rest of her limbs. She slowly got to her feet, wobbling around a bit as she tried to regain her balance, eventually reaching out and grabbing onto Zero's arm for support. It took another moment for her to finally stop being dizzy and realize what she was holding on to.

"Oh! Um... Sorry..." Shelly apoligized as she let go and began to look herself over, sadly sighing as she noticed how scruffed up her shell was now, "That was one of the first times I've had to use my shell for defence... And I just got it waxed and polished, too..."

The koopa then looked at Roll, who was now standing next to Link, shaking his hand.

"Are you okay, Roll?"

[Stoney]

"Nice to meet you, Roll. My name is Link...eh?"

Link blinked in surprise at the blue-armored man suddenly speaking to him...and the red-armored one who was standing next to the first. He hadn't noticed either of them approaching. They looked like knights of some sort...and the red one was carrying a bladeless sword hilt on his back. Were they part of the security force for this city?

The Hylian's eyes went wide in shock as the guy in the blue armor bent down and seemed to tear his own foot open.

"Ack! Hey! What are you doing?!" He cried out, taking a couple steps toward the self-destructive psycho while bringing a hand to his pouch, ready to fish a healing potion out. "Are you insane? Why are you giving......yourself.............wounds?"

Had...had the man just pulled something out of his foot? Yes, he had. And there was no blood...

Time for some blank staring.

"What?"

---

Meanwhile, X's medkit was suddenly sucked right out of his hand.




Kirby gulped down the shiny white object, then paused in reflection for a moment as he rubbed his tummy. Hmm, that hadn't been very tasty...

A sad look passed over his face for a second. Was there any good food in this entire building? Kirby had hoped it would be similar to Heaven; that divine place he'd encountered which had food on every shelf for as far as he could see in every direction. This place was different, though; the things on the shelves here didn't taste good at all. Those clothes were way too dry and scratchy on his throat, and the shoes were too tough and chewy...

Oh well. He was back out here now, with Mr. Looks-Like-An-Apple-But-Isn't-Edible. Maybe the nice man could give directions towards Heaven.

After giving himself a quick introduction to X ("HiIiIiI!") he waddled over to Zero and nudged his leg. "Sumimasen!" He spokee in his tiny voice, hoping to get the man's attention. "Fuudo? Onegai?" He opened his mouth and pointed one stubby arm at it as a visual aid.

[Vize Viper]

"Yeah, Shelly, I'm fi-"

The girl blinked as Link turned away, before she turned to see what he was looking at... and froze up. Again.

Introducing himself was a tall, blue man, who was almost the SPITTING image of her brother... if he looked a few years older, and wore more heavy armor. But... it COULDN'T be Mega Man... in fact, he'd introduced himself as "X". ... Weird name...

Of course, she glanced again at Link at his reaction to X getting some med kits out of his boots, which was... actually a pretty good storage space for boots that size. She wasn't surprised, though. He might not have seen full combat androids, which these two DEFINITELY looked to be.

Of course, he lost a few points for knowing that red-armored blonder jerk who was...

Oh crud. He was a COMMANDER? They BOTH were from the sound of it, but... commanders of WHAT? This, and several other questions ran through her mind, not the least of which was why this X looked so much like her brother, but first...

Introductions.

"Uhm... hi... My name's Roll. Roll Light. It's nice to meet you, and... we'll be glad to help however we can." The girl robot smiled, unaware of the reactions her last name would most likely induce.

The red reploid nodded to X as he arrived, although he was a bit caught off guard by Link's reaction to X getting the med kits. He acted like he'd never seen Maverick Hunters before. He was actually distracted enough that he didn't see Kirby eyeing one of the med kits until...

"Hey, waitaminute, don't eat-"

Of course, then they were down to ONE medkit after the pink puffball ate one.

"That." Then, as if that wasn't enough, it then came over to him, and asked for... Onegai? IT WAS STILL HUNGRY!?

"Ok, you MUST be a waste disposal mechaniloid of some kind." Zero grumbled, but then, Roll's FULL introduction registered with him.

Light? Roll LIGHT? There's no way she meant THOMAS Light. He's been dead for... centuries, at least, and any descendants would've had a record of them... right?

So rather than answer Kirby, he turned his eyes to X, to see what he made of her claim.

[Sortie]

X mirrored the eccentric elf-man-reploid's blankly confused look. He was concerned about...X tearing his own feet open? Had this guy lived in the middle of nowhere until recently?

And suddenly, he was no longer holding a medkit. Looking down, he saw...a small, pink blob. Wearing Zero's helmet. Which greeted him in English, and then proceeded to pester Zero for food in Japanese. It was at about this point that things started to feel very dreamlike, but could have been ignored until later, except for one thing.

"Uhm... hi... My name's Roll. Roll Light."

X's gaze shifted from the pink thing to the blonde girl, and the dreamlike sense of confusion deepened. She couldn't be--the idea was almost immediately and categorically rejected as being far too implausible. No, it was much more likely she was some other Light.

Voice flat, expression unreadable, carefully devoid of any emotion or expectation, the name escaped him, despite his better judgment.

"Roll...Light?"

[SHM 128 III]

Shelly nodded in agreement with Roll.

"I'll try to help if I can... I'm not an expert in first aid, but I can help revive any trophies lying around."

As she was about to walk off, Shelly reached up and rubbed a sore spot on the back of her head, only to feel something... sticky. Bringing her hand back down, the koopa discovered that the fingertips were slightly smeared with blood. She must've banged her head against something while she was bouncing around inside her shell.

... Ew.

"Uh... Actually..." she added, looking back at Zero, "I think I might need a little first aid myself. I cut the back of my head somehow."

[Stoney]

Link was distracted once again when a familiar pink blob walked up next to the red-armored man. Resolving to investigate the Bloodless Boot later, he walked over to assist the harried man.

The Dreamlander was wearing a copy of the sword-knight's armor. Link sighed, guessing what had happened all too easily.

"Kirby," He said sternly with his fists on his hips, "What have I told you about eating people?"

---

"Eh?" Kirby blinked, turning to look up at the Hylian. "Eeeeeeh?"

It took a second for the face to register. When it did, Kirby's face lit up with joy. "PARU!"

---

"I AM NOT A PEAR!" Link yelled back, even as the marshallow being leaped up and hugged him. He facepalmed, a bead of sweat traveling down the side of his head. "Sorry about this," He told Zero. "He gets...excited sometimes."

---

"PARU-PARU!" Kirby cried out with childish happiness. "HIIII!"

---

"Yeah, yeah...'hi' to you too," Link grumbled, pulling Kirby off and setting him on the ground. He frowned. "Don't think I've forgotten who brought me all the way here from the forest and screwed up my fight, kid. I haven't."

---

"Ano?" Kirby tilted his head to one side, a look of confusion crossing it. "Anooo...?" He paused, blinked, then jumped up and gave Link a peck on the cheek. "CHU!"

---

" . . . "

Link turned bright red for a moment before he realized that this was hardly as embarrassing as the LAST kiss he'd received. He heaved a sigh, sagging forward like the weight of the world was on his shoulders.

"It's impossible to stay mad at you," He groaned.